LEXINGTON, Ky. - Southwestern University senior
outside hitter Rachel Thibodeau, the 2012 SCAC Player of the Year,
was named a third-team All-America from the American Volleyball
Coaches Association (AVCA), the organization announced. Complete Release
Thibodeau was the only SCAC student-athlete to earn first, second
or third team honors.
Thibodeau, a senior outside hitter from Richardson, Texas, was the Pirates' go-to player all season. The senior captain leads the conference in kills per set (3.35) and was second in total kills (392). In addition to leading the team in kills for the second consecutive season, Thibodeau, a strong all-around player, hit .203, totaled 29 service aces (second on team) and 42 blocks (fourth on team).
An All-SCAC and AVCA All-South Region First Team selection a
year ago, Thibodeau's Player-of-the-Year selection marks the sixth
time a Southwestern player has earned the league's highest honor
and the fourth time in the last five years. Christina Nicholls won
the award last season and Audra Gentry earned back-to-back
Player-of-the-Year honors in 2008 and 2009.
Thibodeau also was named to the 2012 SCAC All-Tournament team as
well as being named a first-team Captial One Academic
All-District® selection.
Other SCAC student-athletes recognized as 2012 honorable mention
All-Americans include Trinity University's Meredith Erwin, a senior
libero, and Layne Hubbard, a sophomore outside hitter.
